Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-21
THE OHIO CANVASS.

Globe democrat
The four most important of the purely
political canvasses which will be waged IL
this country this year will be those which
will take place, respectively. in Kentucky
New York. Virginia and Ohio Those of
Kentucky and Virginia will have signifi
canoe as showing, in some degree at least
the extent to which the force of distinte
grafton are at work in the Democratic
party in the southern states. The canvass
In New York will reveal the relative
strength of the two great parties in the
pivotal state of the Union on the eve, as it
were, of the presidential campaign, and
show the probable importance and potency
of the labor organization as a political
element in 1888. The chief interest which
the Ohio canvass will have for the country
at large will be confined principally 10 the
light which it will throw on the fortunes
of John Sherman as factor in the presi
Dental canvass Of 1888.
The campaign in Kentucky is nearly
closed, while those of New York and Vir
ginia viii not begin for several weeks to
come The Ohio canvas, so far as regards
one of the great parties, will begin this
week. On Wednesday next the Demo
cratic state convention will meet and the
Republicans will meet on the following
Wednesday. There will be four parties in
the field, as the Prohibitionists and Union
Labor party have each alrerdy made their
nominations. The Democrats are undecid-
ed as to their choice of a candidate for gov
ernor The refusal Of Thurman to allow
his name to be used for that office has dis
concerted the Democratic bosses of the
state, and thrown their plans into confu-
sion. Thurman undoubtedly would be the
IL. H., IarA
but Thurman would not have the slightest
chance of success in Ohio this year, even
if he should reconsider his determination
and consent to rum The probability is
that the nomination will go to Powell,
although there was some mention a few
weeks ago of the name of ex-Congressman
Converse in connection with the place
There is no opposition to Governor Foraker
among the Republicans, and that gentleman
will undoubtedly be re nominated.
There is nothing in the political situation
in Ohio to give the Democrats the slightest
encouragement. Twice only in many
years have the Democrats been able to
elect governor in that state. In 1877 and
1888 the Republican party in Ohio was
disorganized and inharmoniouS, and in
these years the Democratic gubernatorial
candidates were chosen. In each year the
Prohibtionists polled a fairly large vote.
but the Democracy would have been sue
cessful without their aid. The Prohibi
ton strength in the state has increased
vastly since in 1883, but its power for
mischief just now is very small. Last year
the Prohibition nominee for secretary OF
state received %, 9S2 votes, which was the |
largest number ever polled by candidate
of that party in Ohio. Notwithstanding |
the great diversion from the Republican
strength which that vote denoted, the Re
publican candidate was chosen by plural
itv of II 7S1 votes The success of the
Dow liquor law will probably make it i'm
possible for the Prohibitionists to command
over 20, 900 votes this year. But whether
the vote of that organization be small or
large it will undoubtedly be fully offset by
that of the Union Labor party, the greater
portion of which strength will be taken
from the Democracy.
As republican success In the election Is
virtually conceded by the democrats, the
principal interest of the canyass hinges up
on the attitude of the party toward Sher-
man. The tales concerning an alleged
schism among the republicans of the state
regarding Sherman's presidential aspira-
lions have been authoritively denied. Gov
Foraker, it is now contended, is not only
not opposed to Sherman, but is quietly and
effectively working in favor Of that gentle
men. The prospect, therefore, that the
convention will indorse Sherman now
seems favorable This would undoubtedly |
give him prestige and strength in other
states which it would be difficult for him
otherwise to obtain this year. AT present
Blaine is apparently the strongest candidate
in the country among republicans, while Sher
man stands second. This, of course, does
not portend that the choice lies between
these two. The experience of both parties
furnishes abundant proof that the men who
stand first and second, respectively, with
their party often fail in National conven-
lions, especially when the number of
prominent aspirants is large. Some men
have been nominated as compromise candi-
dates. or dark horses" wh0 we're never
seriously thought of, even In their own
states. in connection with the office, and
who, as a consequence, had not received
the Endorsement of their state. But the in
stances are rare indeed in which promin-
ent man like Sherman obtained the nomina
ton after his state had deliberately refused
10 recommend him for the DOSitiOl.